Thomas elliott



(No Model.

T. ELLIOTT.

ADJUSTABLE FRUIT PIOKING STAND.

Patented May 5, 1885.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ELLIOTT, OE HASSARD, MIssOUEI.

ADJUSTABLE FRUIT-PICKING STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,325, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed February 12, 1885. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TnoMAs ELL1OTT,a citizen of the United States of America, residing.

at Hassard, in the county of Balls and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Fruit- Picking Stands; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention is an improved fruit-picking stand; and it consists in the construction and combination of parts, hereinafter fully described and explained, whereby a person upon the platform of the same may readily operate the device, and cause the ascent or descent of said platform to any desired height.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 are elevations of a fruit-picking stand illustrating the same in different positions; and Fig. 3 represents a detail sectional view of the upper portion of the stand.

A represents a standard, which is supported at its base upon a tripod, B, consisting of a central cylindrical portion, at, having three projecting bracket portions, 1), the edge of each of which is turned over to form a flange, b, presenting a guard for the upper portion of one of the supporting-legs, c, pivoted to said bracket at c. A slot, (1, located in the lower portion of each bracket portion, is curvedin an arc of a circle concentric with the pivot cabove. leg 0 and extends through the slot 6:! adjacent to said leg, and has its threaded free end projecting beyond the opposite side of the bracket sufiicient to engage a thumb-nut, 6. One or more of the legs 0 is provided at its lower end with a runner, c.

The portion of the standard A which plays in the cylindrical portion a of the tripod is of cylindrical form, to accord with a vertical circular opening in said cylindrical portion, the lower projecting extreme end of said cylindrical portion of the standard being provided with a handle, 0, by means of which the said A bolt, e, passes through each standard may be readily revolvedin its bearing in the tripod.

The cylindrical portions (4 of both standard and tripod are pierced with transverse openings adapted to register with each other to permit the insertion of a key or wedge, D, designed to lock the standard in its bearing in the tripod and prevent rotation of the former therein.

A circular platform, E, embraces the standard A, as indicated, so as to normally rest upon and be supported by the cylindrical portion a of the tripod. A rod, f, is curved around and above the platform E,as indicated, and is supported by a series of vertical rods, f, embedded in the platform E and looped at their upper ends to embrace the rodf. As indicated by the drawings, the rodf does not extend entirely around the platform, but has its ends bent down for insertion in the platform, to form a passage-way for free access to said platform.

F represents a ladder, which is provided at its upper end with hooks g, pivotally attached to the uprights of the said ladder, and bent at their free ends to engage perforations in the platform E, so as to prevent accidental move ment of said ladder.

A vertical frame is mounted on said platform, and consists of four standards, G, conjointly supporting at their upper ends a block, H, provided centrally with a square perforation for the passage of the standard A. The front standards G are each provided with bearings h, in which are supported horizontal shafts I J, arranged one above the other, as shown. One end of the shaft I projects beyond its bearing in the standard G, and is square-ended to receive a crank, K. The shaft I transmits its motion to the shaft J by means of gear-wheels t, which mesh with each other.

A ratchet-wheel, 7c, is keyed on the lower shaft, J, adjacent to the lower gear-wheel i, and the teeth of said ratchet wheel are designed to be engaged by the curved end Z of a handlever, L, pivoted on the inner side of one of the front standards G, below and adjacent to the said ratchet-wheel.

A reel, M, is mounted on and turns with a shaft, J, and has attached thereto one end of a rope or cable, at, the latter passing over a guide-pulley turning in an opening in the upper end of the standard A. The end of said rope or cable M carries ahook, 0, designed to engage a loop, 19, secured to the platform.

By throwing the leverL out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 7c the attendant may operate the crank-handle K to rotate the shaft J, so as to wind the rope upon the reel thereon, and thereby elevate the platform E at any desired height on the standard A, after which the said platform can be readily locked in position by causing the re-engagement of said lever with the ratchetwheel 7r. Upon a disengagement of the lever L from the ratchetwheel the platform will readily descend under the weight of the operator until the laddersection F touches the ground, after which the operator can descend from the platform E.

It will be readily understood that the legs 0 can be swung in an arc of a circle, at any point of which they can be clamped by means of the bolt 6 and thumb-nut 6, thereby varying the height at which the tripod supports the standard.

By removing the key or wedge D the haudle C may be grasped to rotate astandard, A, in the tripod, so as to reverse the position of the crank and wheel operating devices on the platform.

0 represents a rectangular platform, one end of which is adapted to be secured by bolts 0 (dotted lines, Fig. 1) to the platform, while the other end is provided with a vertical hook, (1', designed to embrace or engage alimb of the tree, and thus suspend or support the said platform 0 at its outer end. a

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the improved structure is of comparatively simple and easy operation and of cheap and durable construction.

The runners or shoes 0" enable the stand to be more readily turned on its legs.

I claim- 1. Thecombinatiominafruit-pickingstand, of a platform sliding thereon, devices located on said platform for effecting the ascent and descent of the same and a ladder'section, G, depending from said platform, substantially as set forth.

2. Thecombination,inafruit-pickingstand, of a standard, a platform sliding thereon, as described, a cylindrical bearing portion, a, legs pivoted thereto so as to swing as described, and means for adjusting said legs, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a fruit-picking stand, of a suitable standard and platform sliding thereon, a Windlass mounted on said platform and provided with an operating-handle, acord or cable connected to said Windlass passing over a guide-roller of the standard and connected to the platform, a device for locking said Windlass, and the arm 0, secured to said platform to serve as an additional support therefor after said platform is adjusted by said Windlass, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ELLIOTT.

W'itnesses:

J. WV. PAUL, A. K. RUTLEGE. 

